The Apache Plume is a true desert plant, found in all four southwestern United States’ desert regions – Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Great Basin. Though it has white, five petaled flowers (very much like the wild rose I see throughout the Midwest) the true fascination I have with this plant comes from its thick, wild, silky seed heads – pink fluffy plumes that look very frazzled and blow in even the slightest of winds.

Talk about always having a bad hair day!!!

These plants, little shrubs actually, were in bloom all over the high desert when we were traveling in early October. I admired them while hiking near Wupatki National Monument, about 40 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona. This desert stuff – there is much to admire!